1 Animals need us to take good care of them. One way to take good care of cats is to groom them. This means you have to brush them, cut their nails, or even give them a bath. It is important to do all of these things.2 Regular combing is a good thing for cats. Combing gets rid of loose or matted hair. This is very important to do if your cat has long hair. Getting rid of this hair helps to keep your house clean. It can also make it harder for your cat to develop hairballs.3 Combing once a week is usually enough for animals with short hair. Longhaired animals may need combing every day. Comb gently in the direction that the hair grows. Wide-toothed combs are good for animals with long hair. Fine-toothed combs can be used on animals with short hair.4 Brushing is also good for the animal. Brushing stimulates the skin. It also helps distribute oils that make the hair look healthy. Brushing and combing are a great time to bond with your animal. It is also a good time to do a quick check of your animal. Look at their skin for signs of fleas or sores.5 Animals do need baths, even cats! Usually, most cats hate water. There are times, though, that a bath is needed. The vet may prescribe a medicated shampoo for a skin condition.